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RICHARD WRIGHT
*AG:I1 (AH2;:<

"Yessuh."
"Whut yuh pay fer it?" "Two o!!ahs." "Ta"e tha #u$ $ #it yo %o$ey &a'" $ 'arry it t (istah Haw"i$s) yuh hear? * o$ fer#it Ah%a !a% you &!a'" &otto% #oo fer this+ *ow %ar'h yosef o$ ho%e) suh+" Da,e tur$e a$ wa!"e s!ow!y. He hear peop!e !au#hi$#. Da,e #!are ) his eyes we!!i$# with tears. Hot a$#er &u&&!e i$ hi%. The$ he swa!!owe a$ stu%&!e o$. That $i#ht Da,e i $ot s!eep. He was #!a that he ha #otte$ out of "i!!i$# the %u!e so easi!y) &ut he was hurt. -o%ethi$# hot see%e to tur$ o,er i$si e hi% ea'h ti%e he re%e%&ere how they ha !au#he . He tosse o$ his &e ) fee!i$# his har pi!!ow. * .a says he/s #o$$a &eat %e . . . He re%e%&ere other &eati$#s) a$ his &a'" 0ui,ere . *aw) $aw) Ah sho o$ wa$ i% t &eat %e tha way $o %o. Da% e% a!!+ *o&o y e,er #a,e hi% a$ythi$#. A!! he i was wor". They treat %e !i"e a %u!e) $ the$ they &eat %e. He #ritte his teeth. * (a ha t te!! o$ %e. We!!) if he ha to) he wou! ta"e o! %a$ Haw"i$s that two o!!ars. 1ut that %ea$t se!!i$# the #u$. A$ he wa$te to "eep that #u$. 2ifty o!!ars for a ea %u!e. He tur$e o,er) thi$"i$# how he ha fire the #u$. He ha a$ it'h to fire it a#ai$. 3f other %e$ "i$ shoota #u$) &y Gaw ) Ah "i$+ He was sti!!) !iste$i$#. (e&&e they a!! s!eepi$ $ow. The house was sti!!. He hear the soft &reathi$# of his &rother. Yes) $ow+ He wou! #o ow$ a$ #et that #u$ a$ see if he 'ou! fire it+ He ease out of &e a$ s!ippe i$to o,era!!s. The %oo$ was &ri#ht. He ra$ a!%ost a!! the way to the e #e of the woo s. He stu%&!e o,er the #rou$ ) !oo"i$# for the spot where he ha &urie the #u$. Yeah) here it is. 4i"e a hu$#ry o# s'rat'hi$# for a &o$e) he pawe it up. He puffe his &!a'" 'hee"s a$ &!ew irt fro% the tri##er a$ &arre!. He &ro"e it a$ fou$ four 'artri #es u$shot. He !oo"e arou$ 5 the fie! s were fi!!e with si!e$'e a$ %oo$!i#ht. He '!ut'he the #u$ stiff a$ har i$ his fi$#ers. 1ut) as soo$ as he wa$te to pu!! the tri##er) he shut his eyes a$ tur$e his hea . *aw) Ah 'a$/t shoot wi %ah eyes '!ose $ %ah hea tur$e . With effort he he! his eyes ope$5 the$ he s0uee6e . Blooooom! He was stiff) $ot &reathi$#. The #u$ was sti!! i$ his ha$ s. Da%%it) he/ o$e it+ He fire a#ai$. Blooooom! He s%i!e . Bloooom! Blooooom! Click, click, There+ It was e%pty. If a$y&o y 'ou! shoot a #u$) he 'ou! . He put the #u$ i$to his hip po'"et a$ starte a'ross the fie! s. Whe$ he rea'he the top of a ri #e he stoo strai#ht a$ prou i$ the %oo$!i#ht) !oo"i$# at 7i% Haw"i$s/ &i# white house) fee!i$# the #u$ sa##i$# i$ his po'"et. 4aw ) ef Ah ha 8ust o$e %o &u!!et Ah/ ta"a shot at tha house. Ah/ !i"e t s'are o! %a$ Haw"i$s 8usa !itt!e . . . 7usa e$ou#h t !et i% "$ow Da,e -au$ ers is a %a$. To his !eft the roa 'ur,e ) ru$$i$# to the tra'"s of the I!!i$ois Ce$tra!. He 8er"e his hea ) !iste$i$#. 2ro% far off 'a%e a fai$t hoooof-hoooof; hoooofhoooof; hoooof-hoooof. . . . He stoo ri#i . Two o!!ahs a %o$t. 4es see $ow . . . Tha %ea$s it/!! ta"e &out two years. -hu'"s+ Ah/99 &e a%+ He starte ow$ the roa ) towar the tra'"s. Yeah) here she 'o%es+ He stoo &esi e the tra'" a$ he! hi%se!f stiff!y. Here she 'o%es) errou$ the

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&e$ . . . C %o$) yuh s!ow po"e+ C %o$+ He ha his ha$ o$ his #u$5 so%e> thi$# 0ui,ere i$ his sto%a'h. The$ the trai$ thu$ ere past) the #ray a$ &row$ &o? 'ars ru%&!i$# a$ '!i$"i$#. He #rippe the #u$ ti#ht!y5 the$ he 8er"e his ha$ out of his po'"et. Ah &et'ha 1i!! wou! $/t o it+ Ah &et'ha . . . The 'ars s!i past) stee! #ri$ i$# upo$ stee!. Ah% ri i$ yuh ter$i#ht) so hep %e Gaw + He was hot a!! o,er. He hesitate 8ust a %o%e$t5 the$ he #ra&&e ) pu!!e atop of a 'ar) a$ !ay f!at. He fe!t his po'"et5 the #u$ was sti!! there. Ahea the !o$# rai!s were #!i$ti$# i$ the %oo$!i#ht) stret'hi$# away) away to so%ewhere) so%ewhere where he 'ou! &e a %a$ . . .

*AG:I1 (AH2;:<
&or$ 9@99
The fore%ost $o,e!ist writi$# i$ Ara&i' tra'es his roots to the 'i,i!i6atio$ of the a$'ie$t 3#yptia$s) o,er fi,e thousa$ years a#o. .ast a$ prese$t 'o%&i$e for *a#ui& (ahfou6 as he i$terro#ates the esti$y of his peop!e a$ their ofte$>trau%ati' a 8ust%e$t to %o er$ i$ ustria! so'iety. Without (ahfou6) it is sai ) the tur&u!e$t history of twe$tieth>'e$tury 3#ypt wou! $e,er &e "$ow$. His fi'tio$a! fa%i!ies a$ frus trate %i !e>'!ass '!er"s ha,e o'u%e$te the su''essi,e sta#es of 3#yptia$ so'ia! a$ po!iti'a! !ife fro% the ti%e the 'ou$try 'ast off forei#$ ru!e a$ &e'a%e a "post> 'o!o$ia!" so'iety. Ti%e) i$ fa't) is the rea! prota#o$ist of his $o,e!sA the ti%e i$ whi'h i$ i,i ua!s !i,e a$ ie) #o,er$%e$ts 'o%e a$ #o) a$ so'ia! ,a!ues are tra$sfor%e Bti%e) u!ti%ate!y) as the 'o$0ueror that re u'es hu%a$ e$ ea,or to $othi$# a$ for'es atte$tio$ o$ spiritua! truth. (ahfou6/s $o,e!s a$ short stories ha,e %i!!io$s of rea ers throu#hout the Ara& wor! ) a$ a #rowi$# au ie$'e i$ the West) &e'ause they ea! with &asi' hu%a$ issues i$ a rea!isti' so'ia! 'o$te?t. Ge$eratio$s of Ara&s ha,e rea his wor"s or see$ the% a apte to fi!% a$ te!e,isio$) a$ his 'hara'ters ha,e &e'o%e househo! wor s. (ahfou6 the 'rafts%a$ has a!so wrou#ht a 'ha$#e i$ Ara&i' prose) sy$thesi6i$# tra itio$a! !iterary sty!e a$ %o er$ spee'h to 'reate a $ew !iterary !a$#ua#e u$ erstoo &y Ara&s e,erywhere. Rea ers of his &est>"$ow$ wor"s) howe,er) wi!! fi$ %a$y si%i!arities with the $i$etee$th>'e$tury rea!ist $o,e! i$ 3urope. (ahfou6 has &ee$ 'a!!e the "1a!6a' of 3#ypt"Ba 'o%pariso$ to the #reat 2re$'h $o,e!ist a$ pa$ora%i' 'hro$i'!er of so'iety Ho$ore e 1a!6a' C9=@@>9D5EFBa$ he is we!! a'0uai$te with the wor"s of Gusta,e 2!au&ert) 4eo To!stoy) a$ other $i$etee$th>'e$tury $o,e!ists. Tra itio$a! Ara&i' !iterature has %a$y for%s of $arrati,e) &ut the $o,e! is $ot o$e of the%5 a$ 'o$te%porary writers !i"e (ahfou6 ha,e a apte the Wester$ for% to their ow$ $ee s. Their rea ers wi!! fi$ fa%i!iar $i$etee$th>'e$tury strate#ies su'h as a 'hro$o!o#i'a! p!ot) u$ifie 'hara'ters) the i$'!usio$ of o'u%e$tary i$for%atio$ a$ rea!isti' etai!s) a pa$ora%i' ,iew of so'iety i$'!u i$# a stro$# %ora! a$ hu%a$isti' perspe'ti,e) a$ B typi'a!!y if $ot $e'essari!yBa pi'ture of ur&a$ %i !e>'!ass !ife. A%o$# twe$tieth> 'e$tury authors (ahfou6 %i#ht &e 'o%pare with A!e?a$ er -o!>6he$itsy$ for his rea!ist sty!e a$ a$a!ysis of $atio$a! i e$tity. The 3#yptia$ author e%p!oys a!!e#ory %u'h %ore tha$ o tra itio$a!!y rea!ist authors) howe,er) a$ his %ost re'e$t wor" has %a e use of fra#%e$te a$ a&sur ist te'h$i0ues as we!! as a ,ariety of '!assi'a! Ara&i' for%s. He 'o$ti$ues to &e preo''upie with i$ i,i ua! e?perie$'e i$si e what he 'a!!s the "tra#e ies of so'iety)" a!thou#h his fo'us is $ot restri'te to the i$ i,i ua!i6e e?iste$tia!is% of 7ea$>.au! -artre or A!&ert Ca%us

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*AG:I1 (AH2;:<

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a$ e%&ra'es a 'o%p!e? of so'ia! re!atio$ships. 4i"e the $i$etee$th>'e$tury $o,e!ists he fo!!ows) (ahfou6 &e!ie,es i$ the so'ia! fu$'tio$ of art a$ the 'o$'o%ita$t respo$si&i!ity of the writer. His &oo"s ha,e &ee$ 'e$sore a$ &a$$e i$ %a$y Ara& 'ou$tries) a$ he was &!a'"!iste for se,era! years for supporti$# 3#ypt/s 9@=@ pea'e treaty with Israe!. *a#ui& (ahfou6 was &or$ i$ Cairo o$ De'e%&er 99) 9@99) the you$#est of se,e$ 'hi! re$ i$ the fa%i!y of a 'i,i! ser,a$t. The fa%i!y %o,e fro% their ho%e i$ the o! 7a%a!iya istri't to the su&ur&s of Cairo whe$ the &oy was you$#. He atte$ e #o, > er$%e$t s'hoo!s a$ e$tere the :$i,ersity of Cairo i$ 9@GE) #ra uati$# i$ 9@GH with a e#ree i$ phi!osophy. These were $ot 0uiet yearsA 3#ypt) offi'ia!!y u$ er ;tto%a$ ru!e) ha &ee$ o''upie &y the 1ritish si$'e 9DDG a$ was e'!are a 1ritish prote'torate at the start of Wor! War I i$ 9@9H. (ahfou6 #rew up i$ the %i st of a$ o$#oi$# stru##!e for $atio$a! i$ epe$ e$'e that 'u!%i$ate i$ a ,io!e$t uprisi$# a#ai$st the 1ritish i$ 9@9@ a$ the $e#otiatio$ of a 'o$stitutio$a! %o$ar'hy i$ 9@2G. The 'o$siste$t fo'us o$ 3#yptia$ 'u!tura! i e$tity that per%eates his wor" %ay we!! ha,e its roots i$ this ear!y tur&u!e$t perio . The iffi'u!ty of ise$ta$#!i$# 'u!tura! tra itio$s) howe,er) is i$ i'ate &y the fa't that (ahfou6/s first pu&!ishe &oo" was a 9@G2 tra$s!atio$ of a$ 3$#!ish wor" o$ a$'ie$t 3#ypt. Whi!e at the u$i,ersity) (ahfou6 %a e frie$ s with the so'ia!ist a$ Darwi$ia$ thi$"er -a!a%a (usa a$ &e#a$ to write arti'!es for (usa/s 8our$a! Al-Majalla. alJadida CThe %o er$ %a#a6i$eF. I$ 9@GD) he pu&!ishe his first 'o!!e'tio$ of stories) Whispers of Madness, a$ i$ 9@G@ the first of three histori'a! $o,e!s set i$ a$'ie$t 3#ypt. He p!a$$e at that ti%e to write a set of forty &oo"s o$ the %o e! of the histori'a! ro%a$'e writte$ &y the 1ritish $o,e!ist -ir Wa!ter -'ott C9==9>9DG2F. These first $o,e!s a!rea y i$'!u e %o er$ refere$'es) a$ few %isse the 'riti'is% of Ii$# 2arou" i$ Radubis C9@HGF or the a$a!o#y i$ he !"ru##le for hebes C9@HHF &etwee$ the a$'ie$t 3#yptia$ &att!e to e?pe! Hy"sos usurpers a$ twe$tieth>'e$tury re&e!!io$s a#ai$st forei#$ ru!e. I$ 9@H5 (ahfou6 shifte e'isi,e!y to the rea!isti' $o,e! a$ a portraya! of %o er$ so'iety. He fo'use o$ the so'ia! a$ spiritua! i!e%%as of the %i !e '!ass i$ Cairo) o'u%e$ti$# i$ ,i,i etai! the !ife of a$ ur&a$ so'iety that represe$te %o er$ 3#ypt. The %a8or wor" of this perio ) a$ (ahfou6/s %asterwor" i$ %a$y eyes) is he Cairo rilo#$ C9@56B5=F) three ,o!u%es epi'ti$# the e?perie$'e of three #e$eratio$s of a Cairo fa%i!y &etwee$ 9@9D a$ 9@HH. I$to this story) whose %ai$ prota#o$ist (ahfou6 has 'a!!e Ti%e) is wo,e$ a so'ia! history of 3#ypt after Wor! War I. (ahfou6/s a'hie,e%e$t was re'o#$i6e i$ the -tate .ri6e for !iterature i$ 9@56) &ut he hi%se!f te%porari!y 'ease to write after fi$ishi$# the rilo#$ i$ 9@ 5 2. I$ that year) a$ offi'ers/ 'oup hea e &y Ga%a! A& e! *asser o,erthrew the %o$ar'hy a$ i$sti tute a repu&!i' that pro%ise e%o'rati' refor%s) a$ there was a 'ha$#e i$ the pa$ora%a of 3#yptia$ so'iety that (ahfou6 es'ri&e . A!thou#h the author was at first opti%isti' a&out the $ew or er) he soo$ re'o#$i6e that $ot %u'h ha 'ha$#e for the #e$era! popu!a'e. Whe$ he starte pu&!ishi$# a#ai$ i$ 9@5@) his wor"s i$'!u e %u'h ope$ 'riti'is% of the *asser re#i%e. A!thou#h he ha &e'o%e the &est>"$ow$ writer i$ the Ara& wor! ) his wor"s rea &y %i!!io$s) (ahfou6 !i"e other Ara& authors 'ou! $ot %a"e a !i,i$# fro% his &oo"s. Copyri#ht prote'tio$ was %i$i%a!) a$ without 'opyri#ht prote'tio$ e,e$ &est>se!!i$# authors re'ei,e o$!y s%a!! su%s for their &oo"s. :$ti! he &e#a$ writi$# for %otio$ pi'tures i$ the 9@6Es) he supporte hi%se!f a$ his fa%i!y throu#h ,arious positio$s i$ #o,er$%e$ta! %i$istries a$ as a 'o$tri&uti$# e itor for the !ea i$# $ewspaper) AlAhram. Atta'he to the (i$istry of Cu!ture i$ 9@5H) he a apte $o,e!s for fi!% a$ te!e,isio$ a$ !ater &e'a%e ire'tor>#e$era! of the #o,er$%e$ta! Ci$e%a ;r#a$i6atio$. CCi$e%a) ra io) a$ te!e,isio$ are $atio$a!i6e i$ ustries i$ 3#ypt.F After his retire%e$t fro% the 'i,i! ser,i'e i$ 9@=9) (ahfou6 'o$ti$ue to pu&!ish arti'!es a$ short stories i$ Al-Ahram, where %ost of his $o,e!s ha,e appeare i$ seria!i6e for%

&efore &ei$# issue as paper&a'"s. Whe$ he re'ei,e the *o&e! .ri6e i$ 9@DD) at the a#e of se,e$ty>se,e$) he was sti!! pu&!ishi$# a wee"!y 'o!u%$) ".oi$t of Jiew)" i$ Al-Ahram. Three years after he Cairo rilo#$ &rou#ht hi% i$ter$atio$a! praise) (ahfou6 sho'"e %a$y rea ers with a $ew &oo") Children of%ebela&i. -eria!i6e in Al-Ahram, Children of %ehela&i is o$ the surfa'e a$other es'riptio$ of a patriar'ha! fa%i!y e,o!,i$# i$ %o er$ ti%es. The story of the patriar'h Ge&e!awi a$ his iso&e ie$t or a%&itious 'hi! re$) howe,er) is a!so a$ a!!e#ory of re!i#ious history. Its perso$ifi'atio$ of Go ) A a%) a$ the prophetsBa%o$# who% s'ie$'e is i$'!u e as the you$#est a$ %ost estru'ti,e so$Ba$ its si%u!ta$eous portraya! of the prophets as pri%ari!y so'ia! refor%ers rather tha$ re!i#ious fi#ures) s'a$ a!i6e ortho o? &e!ie,ers. The &oo" was &a$$e throu#hout the Ara& wor! e?'ept i$ 4e&a$o$) a$ the 7or a$ 4ea#ue of Writers atta'"e (ahfou6 as a " e!i$0ue$t %a$" whose $o,e!s were "p!a#ue with se? a$ ru#s." Children of %ebelai'i re%ai$s u$pu&!ishe i$ 3#ypt to this ay. (ahfou6 too" up writi$# short stories a#ai$ i$ the ear!y 9@6Es after 'o$'e$trati$# o$ $o,e!s for two e'a es. His se'o$ 'o!!e'tio$) %od(s World C9@6GF) 'o%&i$e so'ia! rea!is% a$ %etaphysi'a! spe'u!atio$. He a!so &e#a$ to %o,e away fro% a$ "o&8e'ti,e)" rea!isti' sty!e towar o$e that e%phasi6e su&8e'ti,e a$ %ysti' aware$ess) rawi$# o$ a$ Is!a%i' %ysti'a! tra itio$ whose 'o%prehe$si,e to!era$'e is far fro% Ca$ ofte$ oppose &yF the ri#i &e!iefs of 'o$te%porary (us!i% fu$ a%e$ta!ists. The per'eptio$s of i$ i,i ua! 'hara'ters #o,er$ wor"s su'h as he hief and "he )o#s C9@62F) the story of a re!ease priso$er who5Bsee"i$# re,e$#e o$ his u$faithfu! wife a$ the %a$ who &etraye hi%Bis trappe &y po!i'e o#s a$ shot5 a$ Miramar C9@6=F) i$ whi'h iffere$t poi$ts of ,iew es'ri&e the isappoi$te !o,e of a you$# ser,a$t #ir!) her eter%i$atio$ to shape her ow$ 'areer) a$ the eath of a !o #er. (ahfou6 i $ot a&a$ o$ so'ia! 'o%%e$tary i$ his $ew %o e. I$ i,i ua! 'hara'ters represe$t parti'u!ar '!asses or e,e$ Cwith (ira%ar/s ser,a$t #ir!F 3#ypt itse!f) a$ the fi!% %a e fro% Miramar attra'te !ar#e au ie$'es for its sharp 'riti'is% of the o%i$a$t po!iti'a! party) the Ara& -o'ia!ist :$io$. I$ (irrors C9@=2F) &rief a''ou$ts of fifty>four iffere$t 'hara'ters "%irror" ,arious aspe'ts of 'o$te%porary 3#yptia$ so'iety. (ahfou6/s approa'h 'ha$#e a#ai$ i$ the !ate 9@6Es5 so'ia! 'o%%e$tary i$ the $o,e!s &e'a%e e,e$ %ore ire't) whi!e i$ i,i ua! stories #rew %ore fra#%e$te a$ e,e$ a&sur ist i$ sty!e. 3#ypt/s efeat &y Israe! i$ the 7u$e 9@6= war ha a shatteri$# effe't o$ the $atio$/s se!f>'o$fi e$'e) a$ (ahfou6 respo$ e to what he saw as the 'ou$try/s spiritua! i!e%%a. -tories writte$ &etwee$ ;'to&er a$ De'e%&er 9@6= a$ 'o!!e'te i$ *nder "he Bus !hel"er repeate !y show 'o$tra i'tory a$ i$'o%pre> he$si&!e e,e$ts happe$i$# to perp!e?e a$ frustrate peop!e. A$ a!%ost 'i$e%ati' sty!e e%er#e ) e%phasi6i$# ia!o#ue o,er i$terpretatio$5 so%e pie'es i$ !ater 'o!!e'tio$s rese%&!e o$e>a't p!ays. I$ the tit!e story of *nder "he Bus !hel"er, peop!e waiti$# for a &us o&ser,e &eati$#s) a 'ar 'rash with se,era! eaths) a 'oup!e %a"i$# !o,e o$ a 'orpse) a$'i$#) the rapi 'o$stru'tio$ of a %o$u%e$ta! #ra,e i$ whi'h &oth 'orpses a$ !o,ers are &urie ) i$au i&!e spee'hes) a %a$ who %ay possi&!y &e the ire'tor of the fi!% Cif it is a fi!%F &ut %ay a!so &e a thu#) a e'apitatio$) a$ fi$a!!y "a #roup of offi'ia!>!oo"i$# %e$ wa$ eri$# arou$ " whose appeara$'e fri#hte$s off the othersB u$ti! the pu66!e o&ser,ers are shot &y a pre,ious!y apatheti' po!i'e%a$ whe$ they as" 0uestio$s. -e,era! $o,e!s i$ the 9@=Es a$ 9@DEs re,ea! a si%i!ar &!ea" perspe'ti,e i$ a %ore i a'ti' sty!e5 here +nl$ Remains +ne ,our C9@D2F) for e?a%p!e) portrays 'urre$t e,e$ts as a se0ue$'e of fai!e efforts to a'hie,e pea'e a$ prosperity. (ahfou6/s sty!e 'o$ti$ues to e,o!,e i$ $ew ire'tio$s. A%o$# his re'e$t Wor"s are a aptatio$s of '!assi'a! Ara&i' $arrati,e for%s su'h as the ma-ama Ce!a&orate rhy%e tri'"ster ta!esF or fo!" $arrati,es !i"e the Arabian .i#h"s i$to i%a#i$ati,e se0ue$'es su'h as he .i#h"s of / he housand and +ne .i#h"s/ or he 0pic of "he Riff-Raff. Whi!e these wor"s is'o$'erte so%e a here$ts of his ear!ier) rea!isti' sty!e) they are a$ i$te#ra! part of the 3#yptia$ writer/s atte%pt to fi$ $ew ways to e?press Ara&i'

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'u!ture a$ to 'o%%e$t fro% a &roa er) ofte$ propheti' perspe'ti,e o$ the 'o$te%> porary s'e$e. That (ahfou6 is i%pe!!e &y a se$se of %ora! purpose is e,i e$t throu#hout his wor"s) a$ perhaps $o %ore so tha$ i$ his *o&e! .ri6e a''epta$'e spee'h i$ 9@DD. -pea"i$# first for Ara&i' !etters &ut a!so as a represe$tati,e of the Thir Wor! ) he a resse the !ea ers of a Wester$ 'i,i!i6atio$ that has a!!owe s'ie$'e a$ te'h$o!o#y to outwei#h &asi' hu%a$ ,a!ues. "The e,e!ope wor! a$ the thir wor! are &ut o$e fa%i!y. 3a'h hu%a$ &ei$# &ears respo$si&i!ity towar s it &y the e#ree of what he has o&tai$e of "$ow!e #e) wis o%) a$ 'i,i!i6atio$. ... I$ the $a%e of the thir wor! A 1e $ot spe'tators to our %iseries." The "a&!e o$es) the 'i,i!i6e o$es)" he a e ) perhaps iro$i'a!!y) %ust &e #ui e &y the 'o!!e'ti,e $ee s of hu%a$ity. He 'o$ti$ues to efe$ hu%a$itaria$ ,a!ues i$ 3#ypt as we!!. After Is!a%i' fu$ a%e$ta!ists pressure the (i$istry of Cu!ture i$to esta&!ishi$# pre>'e$sorship for &oo"s i$ 9@@H) (ahfou6 atta'"e this "i$te!!e'tua! terroris%" a#ai$st the arts5 he was !ater sta&&e i$ the $e'" a$ !ost the use of his writi$# ha$ . 1aabala&i, a story i$'!u e i$ Go /s World, 'o$tai$s %a$y of (ahfou6/s pre o%i$a$t the%es. Writte$ two years after Children of %ebela&i, it e'hoes the ear!ier wor"/s re!i#ious sy%&o!is% i$ the %ysterious 'hara'ter of <aa&a!awi hi%se!f. It is a!so a so'ia! o'u%e$tA the $arrator/s 0uest for <aa&a!awi &ri$#s hi% &efore ,arious represe$tati,es of %o er$ 3#yptia$ so'iety i$si e a rea!isti'a!!y es'ri&e Cairo. 1aabala&i, therefore) ta"es o$ the 'hara'ter of a so'ia! a$ %etaphysi'a! a!!e#ory. Its ter%i$a!!y i!! $arrator see"s to &e 'ure i$ a 0uest that i%p!ies $ot o$!y physi'a! hea!i$# &ut a!so re!i#ious sa!,atio$. He has a!rea y e?hauste the resour'es of %e i'a! s'ie$'e a$ ) i$ esperatio$) he e'i es to see" out a ho!y %a$ whose $a%e he re'a!!s fro% 'hi! hoo ta!es. I$ the i$itia! sta#e of his sear'h) the prota#o$ist is 'o! !y re'ei,e &y a !awyer a$ a istri't offi'er) for%er a'0uai$ta$'es of <aa&a!awi who ha,e &e'o%e wor! !y) %ate> ria!isti') a$ hi#h!y su''essfu!. (oreo,er) these &ureau'rats who epe$ o$ reaso$) te'h$o!o#y) a$ &usi$ess!i"e effi'ie$'y 'a$ o $o %ore tha$ se$ hi% to o! a resses or raw hi% 'ity %aps. <aa&a!awi is sti!! a!i,e) they say) &ut he is u$pre i'ta&!e a$ har to fi$ $ow that he $o !o$#er i$ha&its his o! ho%eBa $ow> i!api ate %a$sio$ i$ fro$t of whi'h a$ o! &oo"se!!er se!!s use &oo"s o$ %ysti'is% a$ theo!o#y. I$ 'o$trast) the 'a!!i#rapher a$ 'o%poser to who% the $arrator $e?t tur$s we!'o%e hi% as a perso$. I$ ee ) the 'o%poser repro,es hi% for thi$"i$# o$!y of his erra$ a$ o,er!oo"i$# the ,a!ue of #etti$# to "$ow a$other hu%a$ &ei$#. The re!atio$ship a%o$# art) hu%a$ sy%pathy) a$ spiritua! ,a!ues is %a e '!ear) for <aa&a!awi is '!ose to &oth artists a$ has pro,i e i$spiratio$ for their &est wor"s. I$ the !ast s'e$e) at the *e#%a 1ar) (ahfou6 fuses the rea!isti' es'riptio$ of a har e$e ri$"er with a rea%>,isio$ of a$other) pea'efu! wor! . At this sta#e of the 0uest) the $arrator is $ot e,e$ a!!owe to state his erra$ &ut %ust p!a'e hi%se!f o$ a !e,e! with his ru$"e$ host &efore &ei$# a!!owe to spea". Whe$ he oes si$" i$to o&!i,io$ Ci$ sta#es that su##est a %ysti' strippi$#>away of ratio$a! fa'u!tiesF) he is rewar e i$ his rea%s &y a #!i%pse of para ise a$ wa"es to fi$ that <aa&a!awi has &ee$ &esi e hi% as he s!ept. 1aabala&i e$ s as it &e#a$B"I ha,e to fi$ <aa&a!awi"B&ut the see"er is $ow %ore 'o$fi e$t) a$ the route %ore '!ear!y %ar"e . Ro#er (. A. A!ie$) he Arabic .o'el2 An ,is"orical and Cri"ical 3n"roduc"ion C9@D2F) is a$ authoritati,e i$tro u'tio$ that situates (ahfou6 i$ the 'o$te?t of %o er$ Ara&i' !iterature a$ i$'!u es a &i&!io#raphy of wor"s i$ Ara&i' a$ Wester$ !a$#ua#es. The author/s ow$ perspe'ti,e is #i,e$ i$ *a8i& (ahfu6) 0choes of an Au"obio#raph$ 456678, tra$s. De$ys 7oh$so$>Da,ies. -asso$ -o%e"h) /1a(bahr&i/B Author) The%e a$ Te'h$i0ue" in journal of Arabic 9i"era"ure C9@=EF) e?a%i$es the story as a " ou&!e>!ayere " stru'ture #o,er$e &y refere$'es to -ufi %ysti'is%. (i'hae! 1ear a$ A $a$ Hay ar) e s.) .a#uib Mahfou:2 ;rom Re#ional ;ame "o %lobal Reco#ni"ion C9@@GF) asse%&!es e!e,e$ ori#i$a! essays o$ the%es) i$ i,i ua! wor"s) a$ 'u!tura! 'o$te?ts i$ (ahfou6/s wor". Tre,or !e Gassi'") e .) Cri"ical <erspec"i'es on .a#uib Mahfou: C9@@9F) repri$ts arti'!es o$ (ahfou6/s wor" up to the

9@=Es. Rashee 3!>3$a$y) e .) .a#uib Mahfou:2 he <ursui" of Meanin# C9@@GF) is a$ e?'e!!e$t stu y that i$'!u es &io#raphy) a$a!yses of $o,e!s) short stories) a$ p!ays a$ a #ui e for further rea i$#. Co%parati,e stu ies i$'!u e (o$a (i"hai!) !"udies in "he !hor" ;ic"ion of Mahfou: and 3dris C9@@2F) a$ i$tro u'tory wor" 8u?taposi$# the%es i$ He%i$#way) I ris) (ahfou6) a$ Ca%us5 a$ -a%ia (ehre6) 0#$p"ian Wri"ers Be"&een ,is"or$ and ;ic"ion2 0ssa$s on .a#uib Mahfou:, !onallah 3brahim, and %amal al-%hi"ani C9@@HF. Rashee 3!>3$a$y is'usses the p!a'e of re!i#io$ i$ (ahfou6/s wor" i$ "The Di'hoto%y of Is!a% a$ (o er$ity i$ the 2i'tio$ of *a#ui& (ahfou6)" i$ 7oh$ C. Haw!ey) e .) he <os"colonial Crescen"2 3slam(s 3mpac" on Con"emporar$ 9i"era"ure C9@@DF.
.R;*;:*CI*G G4;--ARY The fo!!owi$# !ist uses 'o%%o$ 3$#!ish sy!!a&!es a$ stress a''e$ts to pro,i e rou#h e0ui, > a!e$ts of se!e'te wor s whose pro$u$'iatio$ %ay &e u$fa%i!iar to the #e$era! rea er.

Hassa$ei$A hassan-a$n( *a#ui& (ahfou6A nah-#eeb( mah-foo:( Ka%arA ka(-mar :%% a!>Ghu!a%A oom( al=#hol-am(

Wa$as a!>Da%a$houriA &ah-nas( al= daman-hoo(-ree <aa&a!awiA :ah-bah-lah(-&ee

<aa&a!awi9
2i$a!!y I &e'a%e 'o$,i$'e that I ha to fi$ -hei"h2 <aa&a!awi. The first ti%e I ha hear of his $a%e ha &ee$ i$ a so$#A ;h what/s &e'o%e of the wor! ) <aa&a!awi? They/,e tur$e it upsi e ow$ a$ ta"e$ away its taste.
It ha &ee$ a popu!ar so$# i$ %y 'hi! hoo ) a$ o$e ay it ha o''urre to %e to e%a$ of %y father) i$ the way 'hi! re$ ha,e of as"i$# e$ !ess 0uestio$sA "Who is <aa&a!awi?" He ha !oo"e at %e hesita$t!y as thou#h ou&ti$# %y a&i!ity to u$ er> sta$ the a$swer. Howe,er) he ha rep!ie ) "(ay his &!essi$# es'e$ upo$ you) he/s a true sai$t of Go ) a re%o,er of worries a$ trou&!es. Were it $ot for hi% I wou! ha,e ie %isera&!yB" I$ the years that fo!!owe ) I hear %y father %a$y a ti%e si$# the praises of this #oo sai$t a$ spea" of the %ira'!es he perfor%e . The ays passe a$ &rou#ht with the% %a$y i!!$esses) for ea'h o$e of whi'h I was a&!e) without too %u'h trou&!e a$ at a 'ost I 'ou! affor ) to fi$ a 'ure) u$ti! I &e'a%e aff!i'te with that i!!$ess for whi'h $o o$e possesses a re%e y. Whe$ I ha trie e,erythi$# i$ ,ai$ a$ was o,er'o%e &y espair) I re%e%&ere &y 'ha$'e what I ha hear i$ %y 'hi! hoo A Why) I as"e %yse!f) shou! I $ot see" out -hei"h <aa&a!awi? I re'o!!e'te %y father sayi$# that he ha %a e his a'0uai$ta$'e i$ Iha$ GaafarG at the house of -hei"h Ka%ar) o$e of those shei"hs who pra'ti'e !aw i$ the re!i#ious 'ourts) a$ so I too" %yse!f off to his house. Wishi$# to %a"e sure that he was sti!! !i,i$# there) I %a e i$0uiries of a ,e$ or of &ea$s who% I fou$ i$ the !ower part of the house.
9. Tra$s!ate &y De$ys 7oh$so$>Da,ies. 2. A tit!e of respe't Cori#i$a!!y "o! %a$"F) ofte$ i$ i'ati$# ru!ership. G. Gaafar (ar"et) a$ area of shops.

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"-hei"h Ka%ar+" he sai ) !oo"i$# at %e i$ a%a6e%e$t. "He !eft the 0uarter a#es a#o. They say he/s $ow !i,i$# i$ Gar e$ City a$ has his offi'e i$ a!> A6har -0uare."H I !oo"e up the offi'e a ress i$ the te!epho$e &oo" a$ i%%e iate!y set off to the Cha%&er of Co%%er'e 1ui! i$#) where it was !o'ate . ;$ as"i$# to see -hei"h Ka%ar) I was ushere i$to a roo% 8ust as a &eautifu! wo%a$ with a %ost i$to?i'ati$# perfu%e was !ea,i$# it. The %a$ re'ei,e %e with a s%i!e a$ %otio$e %e towar a fi$e !eather>upho!stere 'hair. Despite the thi'" so!es of %y shoes) %y feet were 'o$s'ious of the !ush$ess of the 'ost!y 'arpet. The %a$ wore a !ou$#e suit a$ was s%o"i$# a 'i#ar5 his %a$$er of sitti$# was that of so%eo$e we!! satisfie &oth with hi%se!f a$ with his wor! !y possessio$s. The !oo" of war% we!'o%e he #a,e %e !eft $o ou&t i$ %y %i$ that he thou#ht %e a prospe'ti,e '!ie$t) a$ I fe!t a'ute!y e%&arrasse at e$'roa'hi$# upo$ his ,a!ua&!e ti%e. "We!'o%e+" he sai ) pro%pti$# %e to spea". "I a% the so$ of your o! frie$ -hei"h A!i a!>Tatawi)" I a$swere so as to put a$ e$ to %y e0ui,o'a! positio$. A 'ertai$ !a$#uor was appare$t i$ the #!a$'e he 'ast at %e5 the !a$#uor was $ot tota! i$ that he ha $ot as yet !ost a!! hope i$ %e. "Go rest his sou!)" he sai . "He was a fi$e %a$." The ,ery pai$ that ha ri,e$ %e to #o there $ow pre,ai!e upo$ %e to stay. "He to! %e)" I 'o$ti$ue ) "of a e,out sai$t $a%e <aa&a!awi who% he %et at Your Ho$or/s. I a% i$ $ee of hi%) sir) if he &e sti!! i$ the !a$ of the !i,i$#." The !a$#uor &e'a%e fir%!y e$tre$'he i$ his eyes) a$ it wou! ha,e 'o%e as $o surprise if he ha show$ the oor to &oth %e a$ %y father/s %e%ory. "That)" he sai i$ the to$e of o$e who has %a e up his %i$ to ter%i$ate the 'o$,ersatio$) "was a ,ery !o$# ti%e a#o a$ I s'ar'e!y re'a!! hi% $ow." Risi$# to %y feet so as to put his %i$ at rest re#ar i$# %y i$te$tio$ of #oi$#) I as"e ) "Was he rea!!y a sai$t?" "We use to re#ar hi% as a %a$ of %ira'!es." "A$ where 'ou! I fi$ hi% to ay?" I as"e ) %a"i$# a$other %o,e towar the oor. "To the &est of %y "$ow!e #e he was !i,i$# i$ the 1ir#awi Resi e$'e hi a!>A6har)" a$ he app!ie hi%se!f to so%e papers o$ his es" with a reso!ute %o,e%e$t that i$ i'ate he wou! $ot ope$ his %outh a#ai$. I &owe $ty hea i$ tha$"s) apo!o#i6e se,era! ti%es for istur&i$# hi%) a$ !eft the offi'e) %y hea so &u66i$# with e%&arrass%e$t that I was o&!i,ious to a!! 5 sou$ s arou$ %e. I we$t to the 1ir#awi Resi e$'e) whi'h was situate i$ a thi'"!y popu!ate 0uarter. I fou$ that ti%e ha so eate$ at the &ui! i$# that $othi$# was !eft of it sa,e a$ a$ti0uate fa'a e a$ a 'ourtyar that) espite &ei$# suppose !y i$ the 'har#e of a 'areta"er) was &ei$# use as a ru&&ish u%p. A s%a!!) i$si#$ifi'a$t fe!!ow) a %ere pro!o#ue to a %a$) was usi$# the 'o,ere e$tra$'e as a p!a'e for the sa!e of o! &oo"s o$ theo!o#y a$ %ysti'is%. Whe$ I as"e hi% a&out <aa&a!awi) he peere at %e throu#h $arrow) i$f!a%e eyes a$ sai i$ a%a6e%e$t) "<aa&a!awi+ Goo hea,e$s) what a
H. A$ area of Cairo '!ose to the fa%ous %os0ue a$ u$i,ersity of a!>A6har.

ti%e a#o that was+ Certai$!y he use to !i,e i$ this house whe$ it was ha&> ita&!e. (a$y were the ti%es he wou! sit with %e ta!"i$# of &y#o$e ays) a$ I wou! &e &!esse &y his ho!y prese$'e. Where) thou#h) is <aa&a!awi to ay?" He shru##e his shou! ers sorrowfu!!y a$ soo$ !eft %e) to atte$ to a$ approa'hi$# 'usto%er. I pro'ee e to %a"e i$0uiries of %a$y shop"eepers i$ the istri't. Whi!e I fou$ that a !ar#e $u%&er of the% ha $e,er e,e$ hear of <aa&a!awi) so%e) thou#h re'a!!i$# $osta!#i'a!!y the p!easa$t ti%es they ha spe$t with hi%) were i#$ora$t of his prese$t wherea&outs) whi!e others ope$!y %a e fu$ of hi%) !a&e!e hi% a 'har!ata$) a$ a ,ise %e to put %yse!f i$ the ha$ s of a o'torBas thou#h I ha $ot a!rea y o$e so. I therefore ha $o a!ter$ati,e &ut to retur$ is'o$so!ate!y ho%e. With the passi$# of ays !i"e %otes i$ the air) %y pai$s #rew so se,ere that I was sure I wou! $ot &e a&!e to ho! out %u'h !o$#er. ;$'e a#ai$ I fe!! to wo$ eri$# a&out <aa&a!awi a$ '!ut'hi$# at the hope his ,e$era&!e $a%e stirre withi$ %e. The$ it o''urre to %e to see" the he!p of the !o'a! shei"h of the istri't5 i$ fa't) I was surprise I ha $ot thou#ht of this to &e#i$ with. His offi'e was i$ the $ature of a s%a!! shop) e?'ept that it 'o$tai$e a es" a$ a te!epho$e) a$ I fou$ hi% sitti$# at his es") weari$# a 8a'"et o,er his stripe #a!a&eya.5 As he i $ot i$terrupt his 'o$,ersatio$ with a %a$ sitti$# &esi e hi%) I stoo waiti$# ti!! the %a$ ha #o$e. The shei"h the$ !oo"e up at %e 'o! !y. I to! %yse!f that I shou! wi$ hi% o,er &y the usua! %etho s) a$ it was $ot !o$# &efore I ha hi% 'heerfu!!y i$,iti$# %e to sit ow$. "I/% i$ $ee of -hei"h <aa&a!awi)" I a$swere his i$0uiry as to the purpose of %y ,isit. He #a6e at %e with the sa%e asto$ish%e$t as that show$ &y those I ha pre,ious!y e$'ou$tere . "At !east)" he sai ) #i,i$# %e a s%i!e that re,ea!e his #o! teeth) "he is sti!! a!i,e. The e,i! of it is) thou#h) he has $o fi?e a&o e. You %i#ht we!! &u%p i$to hi% as you #o out of here) o$ the other ha$ you %i#ht spe$ ays a$ %o$ths i$ fruit!ess sear'hi$#." "3,e$ you 'a$/t fi$ hi%+" "3,e$ I+ He/s a &aff!i$# %a$) &ut I tha$" the 4or that he/s sti!! a!i,e+" He #a6e at %e i$te$t!y) a$ %ur%ure ) "It see%s your 'o$ itio$ is serious." "Jery." "(ay Go 'o%e to your ai + 1ut why o$/t you #o a&out it syste%ati'a!!y?" He sprea out a sheet of paper o$ the es" a$ rew o$ it with u$e?pe'te spee a$ s"i!! u$ti! he ha %a e a fu!! p!a$ of the istri't) showi$# a!! the ,arious 0uarters) !a$es) a!!eyways) a$ s0uares. He !oo"e at it a %iri$#!y a$ sai ) "These are we!!i$#>houses) here is the Kuarter of the .erfu%ers) here the Kuarter of the Coppers%iths) the (ous"i)6 the po!i'e a$ fire statio$s. The rawi$# is your &est #ui e. 4oo" 'arefu!!y i$ the 'afes) the p!a'es where the er,ishes perfor% their rites) the %os0ues a$ prayer>roo%s) a$ the Gree$ Gate)= for he %ay we!! &e 'o$'ea!e a%o$# the &e##ars a$ &e i$ isti$#uisha&!e fro% the%. A'tua!!y) I %yse!f ha,e$/t see$ hi% for years)

5. The tra itio$a! Ara&i' ro&e) o,er whi'h this %o er$i6e 6. The 'e$tra! &a6aar. =. A %e ie,a! #ate i$ Cairo.

istri't offi'er wears a

3uropea$ 8a'"et.

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ha,i$# &ee$ so%ewhat preo''upie with the 'ares of the wor! ) a$ was o$!y &rou#ht &a'" &y your i$0uiry to those %ost e?0uisite ti%es of %y youth." I #a6e at the %ap i$ &ewi! er%e$t. The te!epho$e ra$#) a$ he too" up the re'ei,er. "Ta"e it)" he to! %e) #e$erous!y. "We/re at your ser,i'e." 2o! i$# up the %ap) I !eft a$ wa$ ere off throu#h the 0uarter) fro% s0uare to street to a!!eyway) %a"i$# i$0uiries of e,eryo$e I fe!t was fa%i!iar with the p!a'e. At !ast the ow$er of a s%a!! esta&!ish%e$t for iro$i$# '!othes to! %e) "Go to the 'a!!i#rapherD Hassa$ei$ i$ :%% a!>Ghu!a%Bthey were frie$ s." I we$t to :%% a!>Ghu!a%)@ where I fou$ o! Hassa$ei$ wor"i$# i$ a eep) $arrow shop fu!! of si#$&oar s a$ 8ars of 'o!or. A stra$#e s%e!!) a %i?ture of #!ue a$ perfu%e) per%eate its e,ery 'or$er. ;! Hassa$ei$ was s0uatti$# o$ a sheeps"i$ ru# i$ fro$t of a &oar proppe a#ai$st the wa!!5 i$ the %i !e of it he ha i$s'ri&e the wor "A!!ah" 9 i$ si!,er !etteri$#. He was e$#rosse i$ e%&e!!ishi$# the !etters with pro i#ious 'are. I stoo &ehi$ hi%) fearfu! of istur&i$# hi% or &rea"i$# the i$spiratio$ that f!owe to his %aster!y ha$ . Whe$ %y 'o$'er$ at $ot i$terrupti$# hi% ha !aste so%e ti%e) he su e$!y i$0uire with u$affe'te #e$t!e$ess) "Yes?" Rea!i6i$# that he was aware of %y prese$'e) I i$tro u'e %yse!f. "I/,e &ee$ to! that -hei"h <aa&a!awi is your frie$ 5 I/% !oo"i$# for hi%)" I sai . His ha$ 'a%e to a stop. He s'ruti$i6e %e i$ asto$ish%e$t. "<aa&a!awi+ Go &e praise +" he sai with a si#h. "He is a frie$ of yours) is$/t he?" I as"e ea#er!y. "He was) o$'e upo$ a ti%e. A rea! %a$ of %ysteryA he/ ,isit you so ofte$ that peop!e wou! i%a#i$e he was your $earest a$ earest) the$ wou! isappear as thou#h he/ $e,er e?iste . Yet sai$ts are $ot to &e &!a%e ." The spar" of hope we$t out with the su e$$ess of a !a%p s$uffe &y a power>'ut. "He was so 'o$sta$t!y with %e)" sai the %a$) "that I fe!t hi% to &e a part of e,erythi$# I rew. 1ut where is he to ay?" ".erhaps he is sti!! a!i,e?" "He/s a!i,e) without a ou&t. . . . He ha i%pe''a&!e taste) a$ it was ue to hi% that I %a e %y %ost &eautifu! rawi$#s." "Go "$ows)" I sai ) i$ a ,oi'e a!%ost stif!e &y the ea ashes of hope) "how ire %y $ee for hi% is) a$ $o o$e "$ows &etter tha$ you 2 of the ai!%e$ts i$ respe't of whi'h he is sou#ht." "Yes) yes. (ay Go restore you to hea!th. He is) i$ truth) as is sai of hi%) a %a$) a$ %ore. ..." -%i!i$# &roa !y) he a e ) "A$ his fa'e possesses a$ u$for#etta&!e &eauty. 1ut where is he?" Re!u'ta$t!y I rose to %y feet) shoo" ha$ s) a$ !eft. I 'o$ti$ue wa$ eri$# eastwar a$ westwar throu#h the 0uarter) i$0uiri$# a&out <aa&a!awi fro% e,eryo$e who) &y reaso$ of a#e or e?perie$'e) I fe!t %i#ht &e !i"e!y to he!p %e. 3,e$tua!!y I was i$for%e &y a ,e$ or of !upi$e G that he ha %et hi% a short whi!e a#o at the house of -hei"h Ga ) the we!!>"$ow$ 'o%poser. I
D. ;$e who pra'ti'es the art of e'orati,e !etteri$# C!itera!!y "&eautifu! writi$#"F) whi'h is respe'te as a fi$e art i$ Ara&i' a$ Asia$ 'u!tures. @. A street i$ Cairo. 9. Go CAra&i'F. 2. ;$e of the 'a!!i#>rapher/s %a8or tas"s is to write re!i#ious o'u%e$ts a$ prayers to A!!ah. G. 1ea$s.

we$t to the %usi'ia$/s house i$ Ta&a"shiyya)H where I fou$ hi% i$ a roo% tastefu!!y fur$ishe i$ the o! sty!e) its wa!!s re o!e$t with history. He was seate o$ a i,a$) his fa%ous !ute &esi e hi%) 'o$'ea!i$# withi$ itse!f the %ost &eautifu! %e!o ies of our a#e) whi!e so%ewhere fro% withi$ the house 'a%e the sou$ of pest!e a$ %ortar a$ the '!a%or of 'hi! re$. I i%%e> iate!y #reete hi% a$ i$tro u'e %yse!f) a$ was put at %y ease &y the u$affe'te way i$ whi'h he re'ei,e %e. He i $ot as") either i$ wor s or #esture) what ha &rou#ht %e) a$ I i $ot fee! that he e,e$ har&ore a$y su'h 'uriosity. A%a6e at his u$ ersta$ i$# a$ "i$ $ess) whi'h &o e we!!) I sai ) "; -hei"h Ga ) I a% a$ a %irer of yours) ha,i$# !o$# &ee$ e$'ha$te &y the re$ eri$#s of your so$#s." "Tha$" you)" he sai with a s%i!e. ".!ease e?'use %y istur&i$# you)" I 'o$ti$ue ti%i !y) "&ut I was to! that <aa&a!awi was your frie$ ) a$ I a% i$ ur#e$t $ee of hi%." "<aa&a!awi+" he sai ) frow$i$# i$ 'o$'e$tratio$. "You $ee hi%? Go &e with you) for who "$ows) ; <aa&a!awi) where you are." "Does$/t he ,isit you?" I as"e ea#er!y. "He ,isite %e so%e ti%e a#o. He %i#ht we!! 'o%e ri#ht $ow5 o$ the other ha$ I %i#ht$/t see hi% ti!! eath+" 9 #a,e a$ au i&!e si#h a$ as"e ) "What %a e hi% !i"e that?" The %usi'ia$ too" up his !ute. "-u'h are sai$ts or they wou! $ot &e sai$ts)" he sai ) !au#hi$#. "Do those who $ee hi% suffer as I o?" "-u'h sufferi$# is part of the 'ure+" He too" up the p!e'tru% a$ &e#a$ p!u'"i$# soft strai$s fro% the stri$#s. 4ost i$ thou#ht) I fo!!owe his %o,e%e$ts. The$) as thou#h a ressi$# %yse!f) I sai ) "-o %y ,isit has &ee$ i$ ,ai$." He s%i!e ) !ayi$# his 'hee" a#ai$st the si e of the !ute. "Go for#i,e you)" he sai ) "for sayi$# su'h a thi$# of a ,isit that has 'ause %e to "$ow you a$ you %e+" 9 was %u'h e%&arrasse a$ sai apo!o#eti'a!!y) ".!ease for#i,e %e5 %y fee!i$#s of efeat %a e %e for#et %y %a$$ers." "Do $ot #i,e i$ to efeat. This e?traor i$ary %a$ &ri$#s fati#ue to a!! who see" hi%. It was easy e$ou#h with hi% i$ the o! ays whe$ his p!a'e of a&o e was "$ow$. To ay) thou#h) the wor! has 'ha$#e ) a$ after ha,i$# e$8oye a positio$ attai$e o$!y &y pote$tates) he is $ow pursue &y the po!i'e o$ a 'har#e of fa!se prete$ses. It is therefore $o !o$#er a$ easy %atter to rea'h hi%) &ut ha,e patie$'e a$ &e sure that you wi!! o so." He raise his hea fro% the !ute a$ s"i!!fu!!y fi$#ere the ope$i$# &ars of a %e!o y. The$ he sa$#A I %a"e !a,ish %e$tio$) e,e$ thou#h I &!a%e %yse!f) of those I !o,e) 2or the stories of the &e!o,e are %y wi$e.5 With a heart that was weary a$ !ist!ess) I fo!!owe the &eauty of the %e!o y a$ the si$#i$#. "I 'o%pose the %usi' to this poe% i$ a si$#!e $i#ht)" he to! %e whe$
H. A 0uarter $a%e for the straw trays %a e a$ so! there. 5. 2ro% a poe% &y the %e ie,a! %ysti' poet I&$ a!>2ari ) who represe$ts spiritua! e'stasy as a "i$ of ru$"e$$ess.

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he ha fi$ishe . "I re%e%&er that it was the e,e of the 4esser 1aira%) 6 <aa&a!awi was %y #uest for the who!e of that $i#ht) a$ the poe% was of his 'hoosi$#. He wou! sit for a whi!e 8ust where you are) the$ wou! #et up a$ p!ay with %y 'hi! re$ as thou#h he were o$e of the%. Whe$e,er I was o,er'o%e &y weari$ess or %y i$spiratio$ fai!e %e) he wou! pu$'h %e p!ayfu!!y i$ the 'hest a$ 8o"e with %e) a$ I wou! &u&&!e o,er with %e!> o ies) a$ thus I 'o$ti$ue wor"i$# ti!! I fi$ishe the %ost &eautifu! pie'e I ha,e e,er 'o%pose ." "Does he "$ow a$ythi$# a&out %usi'?" "He is the epito%e of thi$#s %usi'a!. He has a$ e?tre%e!y &eautifu! spea"> i$# ,oi'e) a$ you ha,e o$!y to hear hi% to wa$t to &urst i$to so$# a$ to &e i$spire to 'reati,ity. . . ." "How was it that he 'ure those iseases &efore whi'h %e$ are power!ess?" "That is his se'ret. (ay&e you wi!! !ear$ it whe$ you %eet hi%." 1ut whe$ wou! that %eeti$# o''ur? We re!apse i$to si!e$'e) a$ the hu&&u& of 'hi! re$ o$'e %ore fi!!e the roo%. A#ai$ the shei"h &e#a$ to si$#. He we$t o$ repeati$# the wor s "a$ I ha,e a %e%ory of her" i$ iffere$t a$ &eautifu! ,ariatio$s u$ti! the ,ery wa!!s a$'e i$ e'stasy. I e?presse %y who!ehearte a %iratio$) a$ he #a,e %e a s%i!e of tha$"s. I the$ #ot up a$ as"e per%issio$ to !ea,e) a$ he a''o%pa$ie %e to the fro$t oor. As 9 shoo" hi% &y the ha$ ) he sai ) "I hear that $owa ays he fre0ue$ts the house of Ha## Wa$as a!>Da%a$houri. Do you "$ow hi%?" I shoo" %y hea ) thou#h a %o i'u% of re$ewe hope 'rept i$to %y heart. "He is a %a$ of pri,ate %ea$s)" the shei"h to! %e) "who fro% ti%e to ti%e ,isits Cairo) putti$# up at so%e hote! or other. 3,ery e,e$i$#) thou#h) he spe$ s at the *e#%a 1ar i$ A!fi -treet." I waite for $i#htfa!! a$ we$t to the *e#%a 1ar. I as"e a waiter a&out Ha## Wa$as) a$ he poi$te to a 'or$er that was se%ise'!u e &e'ause of its positio$ &ehi$ a !ar#e pi!!ar with %irrors o$ a!! four si es. There I saw a %a$ seate a!o$e at a ta&!e with two &ott!es i$ fro$t of hi%) o$e e%pty) the other two>thir s e%pty. There were $o s$a'"s or foo to &e see$) a$ I was sure that I was i$ the prese$'e of a har e$e ri$"er. He was weari$# a !oose!y f!owi$# si!" #a!a&eya a$ a 'arefu!!y wou$ tur&a$5 his !e#s were stret'he out towar the &ase of the pi!!ar) a$ as he #a6e i$to the %irror i$ rapt 'o$te$t%e$t) the si es of his fa'e) rou$ e a$ ha$ so%e espite the fa't that he was approa'hi$# o! a#e) were f!ushe with wi$e. I approa'he 0uiet!y ti!! I stoo &ut a few feet away fro% hi%. He i $ot tur$ towar %e or #i,e a$y i$ i'atio$ that he was aware of %y prese$'e. "Goo e,e$i$#) (r. Wa$as)" I #reete hi% 'or ia!!y. He tur$e towar %e a&rupt!y) as thou#h %y ,oi'e ha rouse hi% fro% s!u%&er) a$ #!are at %e i$ isappro,a!. I was a&out to e?p!ai$ what ha &rou#ht %e to hi% whe$ he i$terrupte i$ a$ a!%ost i%perati,e to$e of ,oi'e that was $o$e the !ess $ot e,oi of a$ e?traor i$ary #e$t!e$ess) "2irst) p!ease sit ow$) a$ ) se'o$ ) p!ease #et ru$"+" I ope$e %y %outh to %a"e %y e?'uses &ut) stoppi$# up his ears with his fi$#ers) he sai ) "*ot a wor ti!! you o what I say." I rea!i6e I was i$ the prese$'e of a 'apri'ious ru$"ar a$ to! %yse!f
6. A %a8or Is!a%i' ho!i ay) 'e!e&rate for three ays to e$ the %o$th/s fasti$# uri$# Ra%a a$.

that I shou! at !east hu%or hi% a &it. "Wou! you per%it %e to as" o$e 0uestio$?" I sai with a s%i!e) sitti$# ow$. Without re%o,i$# his ha$ s fro% his ears he i$ i'ate the &ott!e. "Whe$ e$#a#e i$ a ri$"i$# &out !i"e this) I o $ot a!!ow a$y 'o$,ersatio$ &etwee$ %yse!f a$ a$other u$!ess) !i"e %e) he is ru$") otherwise a!! propriety is !ost a$ %utua! 'o%prehe$sio$ is re$ ere i%possi&!e." 9 %a e a si#$ i$ i'ati$# that I i $ot ri$". "That/s your !oo"out)" he sai offha$ e !y. "A$ that/s %y 'o$ itio$+" He fi!!e %e a #!ass) whi'h I %ee"!y too" a$ ra$". *o soo$er ha the wi$e sett!e i$ %y sto%a'h tha$ it see%e to i#$ite. 9 waite patie$t!y ti!! I ha #row$ use to its fero'ity) a$ sai ) "It/s ,ery stro$#) a$ I thi$" the ti%e has 'o%e for %e to as" you a&outB" ;$'e a#ai$) howe,er) he put his fi$#ers i$ his ears. "I sha$/t !iste$ to you u$ti! you/re ru$"+" He fi!!e up %y #!ass for the se'o$ ti%e. I #!a$'e at it i$ trepi atio$5 the$) o,er'o%i$# %y i$here$t o&8e'tio$) I ra$" it ow$ at a #u!p. *o soo$er ha the wi$e 'o%e to rest i$si e %e tha$ I !ost a!! wi!!power. With the thir #!ass) 9 !ost %y %e%ory) a$ with the fourth the future ,a$ishe . The wor! tur$e rou$ a&out %e a$ I for#ot why I ha #o$e there. The %a$ !ea$e towar %e atte$ti,e!y) &ut I saw hi%Bsaw e,erythi$#Bas a %ere %ea$i$#!ess series of 'o!ore p!a$es. I o$/t "$ow how !o$# it was &efore %y hea sa$" ow$ o$to the ar% of the 'hair a$ I p!u$#e i$to eep s!eep. Duri$# it) I ha a &eautifu! rea% the !i"e of whi'h I ha $e,er e?perie$'e . I rea%e that I was i$ a$ i%%e$se #ar e$ surrou$ e o$ a!! si es &y !u?uria$t trees) a$ the s"y was $othi$# &ut stars see$ &etwee$ the e$twi$e &ra$'hes) a!! e$fo! e i$ a$ at%osphere !i"e that of su$set or a s"y o,er'ast with '!ou . I was !yi$# o$ a s%a!! hu%%o'" of 8as%i$e peta!s) %ore of whi'h fe!! upo$ %e !i"e rai$) whi!e the !u'e$t spray of a fou$tai$ u$'easi$#!y spri$"!e the 'row$ of %y hea a$ %y te%p!es. I was i$ a state of eep 'o$>te$te $ess) of e'stati' sere$ity. A$ or'hestra of war&!i$# a$ 'ooi$# p!aye i$ %y ear. There was a$ e?traor i$ary se$se of har%o$y &etwee$ %e a$ %y i$$er se!f) a$ &etwee$ the two of us a$ the wor! ) e,erythi$# &ei$# i$ its ri#htfu! p!a'e) without is'or or istortio$. I$ the who!e wor! there was $o si$#!e reaso$ for spee'h or %o,e%e$t) for the u$i,erse %o,e i$ a rapture of e'stasy. This !aste &ut a short whi!e. Whe$ I ope$e %y eyes) 'o$s'ious$ess stru'" at %e !i"e a po!i'e%a$/s fist a$ I saw Wa$as a!>Da%a$houri re#ar i$# %e with 'o$'er$. ;$!y a few rowsy 'usto%ers were !eft i$ the &ar. "You ha,e s!ept eep!y)" sai %y 'o%pa$io$. "You were o&,ious!y hu$#ry for s!eep." I reste %y hea,y hea i$ the pa!%s of %y ha$ s. Whe$ I too" the% away i$ asto$ish%e$t a$ !oo"e ow$ at the%) I fou$ that they #!iste$e with rops of water. "(y hea /s wet)" I proteste . "Yes) %y frie$ trie to rouse you)" he a$swere 0uiet!y. "-o%e&o y saw %e i$ this state?" "Do$/t worry) he is a #oo %a$. Ha,e you $ot hear of -hei"h <aa&a!awi?" "<aa&a!awi+" I e?'!ai%e ) 8u%pi$# to %y feet. "Yes)" he a$swere i$ surprise. "What/s wro$#?" "Where is he?"

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"I o$/t "$ow where he is $ow. He was here a$ the$ he !eft." I was a&out to ru$ off i$ pursuit &ut fou$ I was %ore e?hauste tha$ I ha i%a#i$e . Co!!apse o,er the ta&!e) I 'rie out i$ espair) "(y so!e reaso$ for 'o%i$# to you was to %eet hi%+ He!p %e to 'at'h up with hi% or se$ so%eo$e after hi%." The %a$ 'a!!e a ,e$ or of praw$s a$ as"e hi% to see" out the shei"h a$ &ri$# hi% &a'". The$ he tur$e to %e. "I i $/t rea!i6e you were aff!i'te . I/% ,ery sorry. . . ." "You wou! $/t !et %e spea")" I sai irrita&!y. "What a pity+ He was sitti$# o$ this 'hair &esi e you the who!e ti%e. He was p!ayi$# with a stri$# of 8as%i$e peta!s he ha arou$ his $e'") a #ift fro% o$e of his a %irers) the$) ta"i$# pity o$ you) he &e#a$ to spri$"!e so%e water o$ your hea to &ri$# you arou$ ." "Does he %eet you here e,ery $i#ht?" I as"e ) %y eyes $ot !ea,i$# the oorway throu#h whi'h the ,e$ or of praw$s ha !eft. "He was with %e to$i#ht) !ast $i#ht a$ the $i#ht &efore that) &ut &efore that I ha $/t see$ hi% for a %o$th." ".erhaps he wi!! 'o%e to%orrow)" I a$swere with a si#h. ".erhaps." "I a% wi!!i$# to #i,e hi% a$y %o$ey he wa$ts." Wa$as a$swere sy%patheti'a!!y) "The stra$#e thi$# is that he is $ot ope$ to su'h te%ptatio$s) yet he wi!! 'ure you if you %eet hi%." "Without 'har#e?" "(ere!y o$ se$si$# that you !o,e hi%." The ,e$ or of praw$s retur$e ) ha,i$# fai!e i$ his %issio$. I re'o,ere so%e of %y e$er#y a$ !eft the &ar) a!&eit u$stea i!y. At e,ery street 'or$er I 'a!!e out "<aa&a!awi+" i$ the ,a#ue hope that I wou! &e rewar e with a$ a$sweri$# shout. The street &oys tur$e 'o$te%ptuous eyes o$ %e ti!! I sou#ht refu#e i$ the first a,ai!a&!e ta?i. The fo!!owi$# e,e$i$# I staye up with Wa$as a!>Da%a$houri ti!! aw$) &ut the shei"h i $ot put i$ a$ appeara$'e. Wa$as i$for%e %e that he wou! &e #oi$# a&a$ to the 'ou$try a$ wou! $ot &e retur$i$# to Cairo u$ti! he ha so! the 'otto$ 'rop. I %ust wait) I to! %yse!f5 I %ust trai$ %yse!f to &e patie$t. 4et %e 'o$te$t %yse!f with ha,i$# %a e 'ertai$ of the e?iste$'e of <aa&a!awi) a$ e,e$ of his affe'tio$ for %e) whi'h e$'oura#es %e to thi$" that he wi!! &e prepare to 'ure %e if a %eeti$# ta"es p!a'e &etwee$ us. -o%eti%es) howe,er) the !o$# e!ay wearie %e. I wou! &e'o%e &eset &y espair a$ wou! try to persua e %yse!f to is%iss hi% fro% %y %i$ 'o%> p!ete!y. How %a$y weary peop!e i$ this !ife "$ow hi% $ot or re#ar hi% as a %ere %yth+ Why) the$) shou! I torture %yse!f a&out hi% i$ this way? *o soo$er) howe,er) i %y pai$s for'e the%se!,es upo$ %e tha$ I wou! a#ai$ &e#i$ to thi$" a&out hi%) as"i$# %yse!f whe$ I wou! &e fortu$ate e$ou#h to %eet hi%. The fa't that I 'ease to ha,e a$y $ews of Wa$as a$ was to! he ha #o$e to !i,e a&roa i $ot ef!e't %e fro% %y purpose5 the truth of the %atter was that I ha &e'o%e fu!!y 'o$,i$'e that I ha to fi$ <aa&a!awi. Yes) I ha,e to fi$ <aa&a!awi.

AI(3 C3-AIR3 &or$ 9@9G

Ai%e Cesaire has &ee$ 'a!!e ".oet of the 1!a'" Diaspora." The tit!e raws atte$tio$ to the o%i$a$t refere$'e of Cesaire/s wor") whi'h is to the &itter histori'a! e?perie$'e of the &!a'" popu!atio$ i$ the *ew Wor! ) espe'ia!!y i$ the Cari&&ea$Bits uprooti$#) tra$sp!a$tatio$) a$ ispossessio$ as part of its e$s!a,e%e$t i$ A%eri'a a$ its !o$#i$# for the !ost ho%e!a$ of Afri'a. (ost stri"i$# is the a'ute ra'e 'o$s'ious$ess he isp!ays) respo$ i$# to the so%&er e?perie$'e of o%i$atio$ a$ e,a!uatio$ that &!a'" peop!e ha,e e$ ure i$ %o er$ ti%es. It is i%possi&!e to u$ ersta$ Cesaire/s poetry apart fro% this eter%i$i$# 'o$te?t a$ its i%pa't o$ the poet. The 'o!!e'ti,e e?perie$'e of the &!a'" ra'e tou'he Cesaire so ire't!y a$ profou$ !y that it 'o$stitutes the fra%ewor" of his poeti' esti$y. His poetry prese$ts itse!f as a sy%&o!i' %o e of wor"i$# throu#h &oth a histori'a! pre i'a%e$t a$ a perso$a! ra%a. Cesaire was &or$ o$ 7u$e 26) 9@9G) at 1asse>.oi$te) i$ $orther$ (arti$i0ue) the se'o$ 'hi! i$ a fa%i!y of %o est %ea$s5 his father was a 8u$ior fu$'tio$ary of the 2re$'h 'o!o$ia! a %i$istratio$ a$ his %other) a ress%a"er. The &ur e$ of ra'e a$ the !e#a'y of s!a,ery wei#he hea,i!y o$ the &!a'" popu!atio$ i$ the hi#h!y strat ifie so'iety of 'o!o$ia! (arti$i0ue) e?erti$# a pressure that Cesaire 'ou! $ot ha,e es'ape uri$# his 'hi! hoo . Apart fro% this) Cesaire/s ear!iest i%pressio$s were a!%ost 'ertai$!y for%e &y the !a$ s'ape of his &irthp!a'e) o$ the At!a$ti' 'oast of his $ati,e is!a$ ) where the sea is espe'ia!!y for'efu!) a$ i$ the ,i'i$ity of the ,o!'a$o (o$t .e!e) a%i a$ a&u$ a$t tropi'a! ,e#etatio$. These features of the physi'a! e$,iro$%e$t i$ whi'h he #rew up are si#$ifi'a$t e!e%e$ts of his i%a#i$ati,e u$i,erse. Cesaire re'ei,e his pri%ary e u'atio$ at 1asse>.oi$te) the$ we$t for his se'o$ ary e u'atio$ to 2ort> e>2ra$'e) the 'apita! of the 'o!o$y) where he atte$ e the 4y'ee -'hoe!'her) $a%e after the %ost pro%i$e$t 2re$'h a&o!itio$ist. After o&tai$i$# his baccalaurea" i$ 9@G9) he was awar e a s'ho!arship to 'o$ti$ue his stu ies i$ 2ra$'e. -hort!y after his arri,a! i$ .aris that year) a$ his e$ro!!%e$t at the 4y'ee 4ouis>!e> Gra$ i$ the preparatory '!ass for the 3'o!e *or%a!e -uperieure) he %et 4eopo! -e ar -e$#hor Cp. 25E2F a$ for%e with hi% a !asti$# frie$ ship. It was throu#h the '!ose 'o!!a&oratio$ of the two %e$ o,er the $e?t few years that what 'a%e to &e "$ow$ as the *e#ritu e %o,e%e$t e,e!ope . The ter% itse!f) whi'h e$otes a se$se of 'o!!e'ti,e ra'ia! i e$tity a$ 'o%%o$ esti$y a%o$# &!a'" peop!e the wor! o,er) was 'oi$e &y Cesaire a$ first appeare i$ pri$t i$ his 'e!e&rate !o$# poe% Cahier d(un re"our au pa$s na"al C*ote&oo" of a Retur$ to the *ati,e 4a$ F) whi'h he was to pu&!ish i$ 9@G@ a$ whi'h re%ai$s his &est>"$ow$ wor". The %eeti$# with -e$#hor ha a hi#h!y perso$a! si#$ifi'a$'e for Cesaire. As he was !ater to re%ar") "Whe$ I %et -e$#hor) I "$ew I was a$ Afri'a$." 1y i$tro u'i$# Cesaire to aspe'ts of Afri'a$ 'i,i!i6atio$ that for%e -e$#hor/s ow$ &a'"#rou$ ) -e$#hor he!pe free his frie$ fro% the $e#ati,e asso'iatio$s that Afri'a he! for West I$ ia$s of his #e$eratio$. The two %e$ &e'a%e i$te!!e'tua! 'o%pa$io$s) with a 'o%%o$ passio$ for Afri'a. To#ether they rea a$ is'usse the eth$o#raphi' !iterature o$ Afri'a that &e#a$ to appear uri$# this perio B$ota&!y the wor"s of the 2re$'h a$thropo!o#ist (auri'e De!afosse a$ the Ger%a$ 'u!tura! historia$ 4eo 2ro&e$iusB whi'h e%phasi6e the 'ohere$'e of Afri'a$ so'ia! syste%s a$ the ,a!ue of the 'o$ti$e$t/s i$ i#e$ous 'u!tures. Throu#h -e$#hor a$ i$ these &oo"s) Cesaire e$'ou$tere a positi,e i%a#e of Afri'a that e$a&!e hi% to i e$tify with the 'o$ti$e$t of his a$'estors a$ thus to arri,e at se!f>a''epta$'e as a &!a'" perso$. Cesaire/s re!atio$ship with -e$#hor e,e!ope withi$ the 'o$te?t of a &!a'" awa"e$i$# that was a!rea y u$ er way uri$# the years &etwee$ the two wor! wars. I$ the :$ite -tates) the a'ti,ities of W. 3. 1. Du 1ois ha #i,e$ 'o$'rete for% to the i ea of .a$> Afri'a$is% as a %o,e%e$t of &!a'" so!i arity 'o$'er$e with the &!ea"